A series of recent decisions, largely in federal courts since 1972, are examined for inferences that may encourage institutions to set forth more clearly the conditions that precede dismissal on academic or misbehavior grounds. Guidelines are suggested for administrative procedure and faculty practices such as grading. (JT)

Faculty most heavily involved in research (as rated by department heads) were found to establish higher academic standards (as rated by students) than those less involved in research. In natural-mathematical sciences student ratings were positively related to research involvement; in social-behavioral were negatively related. (Editor/JT)

Three methods for setting performance standards for criterion referenced tests--theories, expert judgments, and practical necessity--are reviewed. The author concludes that the use of performance standards is not a promising vehicle for making societal decisions. (Author/JKS)

State responsibility for chartering, incorporating, and authorizing postsecondary institutions to operate has become crucial in recent years. It is acknowledged that states have made major progress in strengthening their authorizing and regulatory functions but continued progress is needed. (Author/LBH)

Choosing from among the many who are qualified in order to achieve, among other things, the racial and ethnic diversity so important to our institutions, cannot be left to chance. There are many ways to achieve diversity, but race must be specifically considered in choosing a student body. (Author/EB)

Reports on a study of the relation between admissions criteria and success measures. Calls for more such studies, especially in graduate journalism education and related programs. (RL)

Considers a variety of topics, including the shortage of jobs for graduates of English doctoral programs, uses of graduate assistants, academic standards for graduate degrees, English department hiring practices, and ways faculty members can educate and be educated by new young instructors. (GW)

In response to a growing need to involve faculty to a greater degree in its activities and policies, the College Board created the Council on Academic Affairs. The Council's charges, concerns, and challenges are described. (Author/LBH)

Argues that open enrollment policies have debased the community college and led to an abandonment of merit, standards, and competency. Suggests their new mission be to serve only those adults who qualify and can benefit from college-level work, abandoning those vocational, remedial, and recreational responsibilities which community colleges have…

Although confidence in the schools is hard to measure, a majority of Americans seem convinced that the quality of public education is on the decline. Three high schools, one in the suburbs, another in a small-town, another a middle-sized school, are evaluated to learn how changing times have affected their educational quality. (Editor/RK)

Harvard University and other institutions of higher education are reappraising their curriculum in order to recapture the intellectual values that underlie the classic liberal arts program. Simultaneously these schools are attempting to make their curriculum more relevant to social needs so that their students can cope in a competitive, highly…

The North Carolina Competency Program is an important tool in the attempt to improve the schools and the students. Discusses the effectiveness of the High School Graduation and Competency Program, H.B. 204, including what competencies should be measured, what competency tests should be used, and a number of critical issues related to the…

Trustees should ask certain questions that will bring them closer to the attitude and approach of accreditation. These might include: What does this institution expect its graduates to know? How do we evaluate success? Processes of accreditation, which focus on education quality and institutional integrity can be applied. (Author/LBH)

In this philosophical essay about the role of a private college, this author declares himself on the side of the university with a mission. It is contended that otherwise there is little point in the struggle to maintain the "privacy" of the university. Points raised deal with the alumni role, political and religious ideology, curriculum needs,…

Discusses the 1976 University of California ruling (later retracted) that credits in high school journalism courses were unacceptable as English entrance credits. Argues that journalism courses have great value in improving students' thinking and writing skills and cites evidence for this claim. (GW)